Could Rivers be plotting a step back from the Celtics?

Boston coach Doc Rivers has often talked about walking away from basketball to recharge.

He nearly left the Celtics last season. His son is an elite college basketball product and his daughter is playing college volleyball. Rivers has talked about spending a year watching their games and spending more time with his wife.

But in the end, the chance to coach future Hall of Famers Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Shaquille O’Neal for one more season was too great of a lure.

“I’m still gonna do it eventually,” Rivers said. “Not just for the family. I just think it’s healthy. Teachers take sabbaticals to retool, to recharge. I think coaches need to do that as well. So I will.”

Rivers’ contract with the Celtics expires at the end of this season, and though he and Boston general manager Danny Ainge have had discussions about a new deal, there is nothing in place that would keep Rivers in Boston for the foreseeable future.

And obviously, an NBA lockout could give him that extended vacation he’s always talking about.